There's buzz in London about the Andy Carroll to Chelsea transfer rumors. The 29-year-old striker is reportedly unfit for training as a result of an ankle injury, although there are conflicting reports about that.
Chelsea had two players shown second yellow cards after being adjudged to have been guilty of simulation during their FA Cup replay against Championship side Norwich on Wednesday. Nonetheless, Antonio Conte’s side survived a 94th-minute equalizer and managed to advance 5-3 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The absurdity of the Chelsea vs. Norwich City replay was not about the beauty of the FA Cup, but instead the beauty of a referee who didn’t take shit from anyone, even with VAR ready to back him up.
It’s about damn time. For years, Funko has released its Pop! figures for everything from super heroes to Muppets and everything in between, helping grown men cockblock themselves with silly figurines littering their shelves and counter spaces. But now, Funko has gone in a new direction, providing the perfect thing to help men get laid: football Funko Pop figures.
Arsenal and Chelsea played to a 0-0 draw in the Carabao Cup semifinals Wednesday (marking the FOURTH time the two sides have drawn this season), and it was DEFINITELY a soccer game, that's for sure. Arsene Wenger, serving the second match of his touchline ban, sat in the press box. Hopefully that gave him lots of time to answer questions about Alexis Sanchez and Manchester City.
Let's take a look at the highlights:
With Manchester City holding an unassailable 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, the managerial mind games in the race for second place began in earnest on Thursday with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho outlining how his work sets up future managers for success and how he refuses to “behave as a clown on the touchline,” both quips being viewed as digs at Chelsea coach Antonio Conte.
Former Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien has joined the lofty ranks of footballers with extremely messed-up statues. Essien is in good company, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Diego Maradona.
Essien's bad statue exists in his native Ghana, and folks, it is not a good statue.
Where to begin with this game? We'll start with Alvaro Morata. If Chelsea had someone else playing striker, they probably would have won this game running away. But, they did have Alvaro Morata, and he missed three clear chances. So it goes.
You know who didn't miss, though? Jack Wilshere! Welcome back, Jack!
You know who else doesn't miss? Hector Bellerin, who nailed Eden Hazard squarely in the foot with his foot to set this up:
Oh baby! The last Premier League Matches of the year! We got two matchdays over the next 4 days so let's get to it. Here are some candidates to use your transfer on:
Jordan Pickford (Everton):
The appointment of Sam Allardyce transformed Everton into the best defensive side in the EPL throughout December and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into a fantasy monster. He’ll keep a clean sheet against Bournemouth on Saturday and give you 10 points in goal.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (Watford):